Certificate in Tax Practice

Program Overview

The Certificate in Tax Practice provides nine units of graduate level tax research and tax foundation skills and knowledge to students who already have either an undergraduate or graduate degree in accounting. This certificate can also assist someone seeking nine units to help meet the required 150 units to become a CPA. It can help with career advancement and passing the CPA examination. The nine units can be applied to the MST program (if within the required time limits for degree completion).

Courses include: (units)

• BUS 223A Tax Research and Decision Making (3)

In addition to six units from:

• BUS 223B Taxation of Partnerships (3)
• BUS 223F Tax Accounting Methods/Periods (3)
• BUS 223G Taxation of Business Entities (3)
• BUS 225A Taxation of Estates & Trusts (3)
• BUS 225B Taxation of Corporate Reorganizations (3)
• BUS 225E Data Analytics and Security (3)
• BUS 225F State Taxation Fundamentals (3)
• BUS 225G Taxation of S Corporations (3)
• BUS 225H Taxation of Property Transactions (3)
• BUS 225I Tax Practices & Procedures (3)
• BUS 225K Advanced Individual Taxes (online) (3)
• BUS 225L Accounting for Income Taxes (3)
• BUS 225S Consolidated Returns (3)
• BUS 225V Tax Considerations of High Tech Companies (3)
• BUS 225W Introduction to International Taxation (3)
• BUS 227A Individual Tax Compliance (1)
• BUS 227B Ethics for Tax Practitioners (1)
• BUS 227C Tax Symposium (1)
• BUS 227D Employment Taxation and the Modern Workforce (1)
• BUS 227E Foundation for Understanding Taxation (1)
• BUS 227F Personal and Business Leadership Skills for Tax Practitioners (2)

You will need to complete all courses with an overall GPA of 3.0 (B), with no course grade less than a C (2.0). A C- grade or below in any class is considered failing. Only three units of coursework with a grade of C can count toward the certificate.

You must complete all courses at SJSU to earn the Certificate in Tax Practice.

View the course schedule.

Note: San Jose State University cannot issue an I-20 to secure an F-1 visa to enter or remain in the United States for this program.

Admission Requirements

• What are the admission requirements?

  • Educated Within the United States

    4 year bachelor's degree in accounting from a US instiution. If your degree is in a different area, you can apply if you have completed the following undergraduate accounting courses in the US: Intermediate Accounting I and II and introduction to income taxation.

    A GPA of 3.0 or better with an absolute minimum overall GPA of 2.5. 
    There is no conditional admission to the certificate program.

    Educated Outside the United States

    If you earned an accounting degree from a higher education institution outside the United States, you must take an English language proficiency exam. You must hold the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree from a recognized institution if you earned your degree outside the US.

    The Certificate in Tax Practice requires a minimum score of:

    TOEFL (internet-based ): 80
    IELTS: 6.5

    Visit the English Language Proficiency page waiver information

• How much is the Tax Practice Certificate?

  • Tuition is $710 per unit or $2,130 per 3-unit course. The total cost of the certificate courses is $6,390. Beginning Fall 2024, tuition will be $731 per unit of $2,130 per 3-unit course.  The total cost for the certificate will be $6,579.

    The above costs do not include books, supplies, etc. Tuition fees are subject to change.

Registration Information

• How can I get started? 

  • Pre-Enrollment Instructions

    1. Submit the pre-screening form, as early as possible.

    2. We will evaluate your form and notify you of the results.
    
    If you are notified that you are eligible, please continue following the Registration Instructions (below).

• What are the registration instructions? 

  • Educated within the United States

    If you are notified that you are eligible, we will send you registration instructions.

    Educated Outside of the United States

    If you were educated outside the US, you must apply for the Advanced Global Leadership Certificate through calstate.edu/apply. Based on your background, you may be required to take an English language proficiency[BROKEN LINK] exam (TOEFL, IELTS or PTE). The application to begin courses in the fall semester must be submitted by June 1, and your application to begin courses in the spring semester must be submitted by November 1. After your application is approved, you will receive instructions for registration.

• Who should I contact with questions?

  • Catherine Dougherty
    Program Coordinator
    Email: catherine.dougherty@sjsu.edu

    Annette Nellen
    Program Director
    Email: annette.nellen@sjsu.edu